Rip-Off Alert: Don't spend a ton to change your address

LAS VEGAS (KSNV MyNews3.com) — Every year, more than 40 million people move in the United States. In addition to making sure your household items arrive at your new house, you also need to change your address.

This Rip-Off Alert illustrates the potential pitfalls in the simple process.

The problem is many people do a random search for “change of address” and wind up on one of a number of sites run by businesses. They might appear to be connected to the United States Postal Service, but they are not.

“You can do that change of address directly with the postal service for only $1 online or come into your local post office and submit it in person for free,” says U.S. Postal Inspector Frank Schissler.

Consumers have complained about various sites – including change-my-address.com — that charge $1 up front then later tack on additional fees for services.

“Your credit card is being charged anywhere from $29 to $39 for them to change you address,” Schissler said. “It is not illegal for them to charge these additional fees, but people need to be aware they don’t need to pay them if people go directly to the postal service website.”

This week, it was announced that 16,000 Ohio consumers are entitled to refunds from change-my-address.com. The refunds are part of a settlement of lawsuits that attorneys general from Ohio and Washington state filed in 2013 against the site.